Sometime ago, a few of the lists were requesting background information or an introduction of each genealogists on the list. I am way behind and never did get my introduction to any of the lists. So here goes...:) I was destined to research my family's genealogy. I am a Yankee from outside of Detroit, Michigan. If you are a true Michigander then you refer to the shape of the state as the "Mitten". Most people just show the palm of their hand and point to where they are from or are now residing. This gets quite a few laughs from the Southern folk. You guessed it, my husband is a "red neck". At the age of seven I would make family trees and ask my grandmother to spell all the polish and german names for me. At that age those weird names could not have been in my vocabulary. I would sit for hours and love to listen to my grandmother 'Irene" tell stories about, "the old country". She talked about the War and how poor everyone was and that most people coming from Europe where looking for prosperity. I have most of my families heirlooms such as; wedding rings and watches with engravings of special events, clothing and toys. Are these considered proof or documentation of their lives? I was always given pictures by my mother and grandmother. Somehow I ended up with so much that they had to come over to my house in NC to copy all the information and pictures from me! My husbands family originated in NC, But I met him in Escambia Co., Milton, Florida. My mother is suppose to give me the family trunk to keep all my goodies in! Of course there is one other family member that wants the trunk, so I am sure there will be a family fued about it!! The kinds of information that was given to me at the age of 19: report cards, baptisms, cemetery records, pictures, postcards, church booklets, birth cert., death and marriage etc. I use to be called the junk collector of my family. I have learned to mix the new or modern with the old to display my treasures! I spend way to much time on my computer communicating with everyone on lists. I drive all my family members crazy with questions and probing to find out any tid bits that may get me one more generation back. My Aunt has more Census, birth, death and marriage certificates than I do--but I feel I have all the real good Momento's that you can't buy in a library, archives or county builiding. I really started to put my work on computer about three years ago. I am fairly new to this system. I use Family Tree Maker and am getting sick and tired of purchasing upgrades. I want to get a new computer, so I can put my entire genealogy to one CD, with pictures and all. My mother is down this week from Michigan to get copies of as much as she can for my brother (who never was interested before), incidently he wants the family trunk!!Ha! However, I will be sure to try my hardest to get it. :) I love to help anyone on the lists that need it. Anyone not on the list I will help to. I am not beyond called relatives and talking to them long enough until they give up some informaiton or family secrets. I will even attempt to talk with family members banished from the family long ago, call relatives no one likes, call ex-wives, ex-husbands or call anyone that the "family" knows have stolen bibles, picture albums, etc. Yes, I am addicted, aren't you??? Lorie Harrell QSCV@twave.net